Two decades of monitoring irish populations ofPhytophthora infestans for phenylamide resistance

Abstract

Between 1981 and 1998,Phytophthora infestans populations in 878 potato crops in Ireland were monitored for phenylamide resistance. The incidence of resistance was very high in 1981 following intensive use of metalaxyl for blight control from 1977 onwards. It decreased rapidly in the absence of phenylamide use between 1981 and 1984. Following the reintroduction of phenylamide based fungicides in 1985, there was a rapid increase in phenylamide resistance following the widespread curative use of these fungicides. From 1990 onwards there was greater adherence among growers to the use of phenylamides in accordance with an antiresistance strategy and resistance distribution again decreased. During the 18-year period of the study, resistance was always lower at the beginning of the season and increased as the season progressed. Following the reintroduction of the phenylamide based fungicides in 1985 there was a steady increase in phenylamide use up to 1986 followed by a continuous decrease in use up to 1990. Since then there has been a steady increase in phenylamide use. They are currently used on some 60% of crops in Ireland and are still providing acceptable levels of disease control.